Cannabis Ice Cream Recipe: No-Churn Banana-Rum Weed Ice Cream

To make cannabis ice cream, you decarb about 5 g of weed, stir it into melted butter and sugar, whisk in hot cream, then blend it with mashed banana, rum and honey and freeze it, stirring once halfway. No ice cream maker needed. On a hot summer day there's nothing like a cold scoop, so why not take it up a notch? Here's how to pair the creaminess of homemade ice cream with the flavor and effects of cannabis.

Ingredients:

• 5 g cannabis (hash or finely ground flower)
• 500 ml (about 2 cups) heavy cream (or a vegan alternative)
• Pinch of salt
• 400 g (about 14 oz) bananas
• 75 g (about 1/3 cup) sugar or alternative sweetener
• 3 tbsp rum
• 2 tbsp butter (or a vegan alternative)
• 5 tbsp honey (or a vegan alternative)
• Optional: nuts, cookies or any other mix-ins you like

Equipment:

• Large baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Spatula or whisk
• Two large saucepans
• Blender or hand mixer
• Large bowl
• Freezer-safe container with a lid

Step 1: Decarb Your Weed

Decarboxylation (decarb for short) is the step that activates the cannabinoids in cannabis, and it's what makes an edible actually psychoactive. Here are two ways to do it:

Option A: Oven Decarb

1. Preheat the oven to 105–110 °C (221–230 °F).
2. Break the flower into small pieces and spread it on parchment paper on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for 30–45 minutes, until the weed turns golden.
4. Let it cool before using.

Option B: Boil-in-a-Bag Decarb

1. Put the weed in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag.
2. Boil the bag in a pot or pressure cooker for about an hour.
3. Carefully remove the bag and let it cool before using.

Step 2: Make the Ice Cream Base

1. Pour the cream into a saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
2. In the other saucepan, melt the butter and add the sugar and salt.
3. Add the decarbed weed to the butter and sugar mixture and stir so it's evenly spread.
4. Whisk the hot cream into the butter and weed mixture.

Step 3: Mix and Freeze

1. Mash the bananas in a large bowl until you get a smooth paste.
2. Add the cream mixture, rum and honey to the banana.
3. Mix everything until it's thick and evenly combined.
4. Put the mixture in the freezer for a few hours, until it's partly frozen.
5. Take it out, beat it again until smooth, and put it back in the freezer until firm.

That's it: your own homemade weed ice cream, ready to go. Don't forget to label and date the container so it's stored properly. It's a unique, tasty way to experience the effects of cannabis while you enjoy a cold dessert, but remember edibles take a while to kick in, so start with a small scoop and wait before going back for more.

Best Strains for Weed Ice Cream

If you're planning to make cannabis ice cream, picking the right strain can make a real difference in flavor, aroma and effect. Here are a few that can add something special to your scoop:

1. Choco Haze: A sativa-dominant hybrid with a sweet flavor that pairs with pretty much any ice cream. Its rich, sophisticated chocolate notes blend perfectly with the sweetness of the dessert. Choco Haze also delivers a strong but calming high that can take your cannabis dessert to the next level.

2. Gelato: Gelato is known for its super-sweet smell and rich, layered flavors, with hints of lemon, mint and vanilla. That makes it a great match for creamy ice cream. Its balanced effect can make for a relaxing experience while you dig into your dessert.

3. Strawberry Banana: This strain is all about intense banana and strawberry flavor, with a clean, pleasant aroma. Its sweet, fruity profile adds freshness and sweetness to your weed ice cream, and its relaxing, long-lasting effect fits right in with dessert time.

4. Blueberry: If you want a more classic fruit flavor, Blueberry is a great option. With its ripe blueberry taste and relaxing effects, it adds a unique layer of flavor to your ice cream. Its terpene profile also makes for a pleasant sensory experience.

5. Lemon Haze: If you'd like a hit of citrusy freshness, Lemon Haze could be the perfect choice. Its lemon and citrus notes balance out the sweetness of the ice cream for a delicious combo. Lemon Haze is also known for its energizing, uplifting effect, which pairs nicely with a summer treat.

How to Store Weed Ice Cream

Storing weed ice cream properly is key to keeping its quality, freshness and potency over time. Here are some tips for storing your cannabis ice cream the right way:

1. Freeze it right away: Put the ice cream in an airtight container and into the freezer as soon as you've made it. Make sure your freezer is cold enough to keep it solid and stop ice from forming on the surface.

2. Label and date it: Clearly label the container with what's inside (in this case, weed ice cream) and the date you made it. That way you know how long it's been stored and when to finish it, and nobody grabs a scoop by mistake.

3. Use airtight containers: Go for airtight, freezer-safe containers to prevent ice crystals and keep freezer odors out. A good seal also helps the ice cream hold on to its freshness and flavor.

4. Avoid temperature swings: Don't keep taking the ice cream in and out of the freezer, since temperature changes can wreck its texture and flavor. Whenever you can, scoop out only what you plan to eat right then.

5. Don't store it forever: Like any food, weed ice cream has a limited shelf life. The freezer keeps it fresh for a good while, but it's best to eat it within 2–3 months of making it for top quality.

6. Check it before eating: Before you dig in, take a look and give it a sniff. If you notice big changes in texture, color or smell, it may have gone bad and might not be safe to eat.

7. Let it soften, then serve: When you're ready to enjoy your cannabis ice cream, take the container out of the freezer and let it soften for a few minutes before serving. It'll scoop better and taste better.